Finally Home
The journey to Konoha was a swift one. Traveling across the arid landscapes and eventually the lush forests that led to their destination, the group maintained a pace that would have been challenging for even the most seasoned shinobi. Ryomaru, despite his maturity and impressive stamina for a nine-year-old, found himself lagging behind the adults, his weariness growing with each passing mile.
The sun had started its descent by the time the towering gates of Konoha came into view, casting long shadows over the travel-weary group. Gaara, the youngest of them, showed no signs of fatigue, his wide green eyes surveying the unfamiliar surroundings with an air of serene curiosity. The Tailed Beast within him granted him a resilience that was enviable, if not a little eerie.
Upon their arrival, however, there was no time to rest. Hokage Hiruzen, with a quick, reassuring glance at his exhausted companions, excused himself, and went in search of Naruto, leaving the others in the capable hands of Kakashi.
Gaara watched as the Hokage left, his expression unreadable. "It's alright," Baki said, interpreting the younger boy's silent disquiet. "Mr. B knows the Tailed Beasts better than anyone else."
Gaara turned to Baki, nodding slowly. Didn't comment on it. He would see for himself.
A low murmur buzzed through Konoha's streets as the villagers glimpsed the foreign shinobi delegation making its way through their beloved village. This was not a sight often seen in the tranquil confines of Konoha, and certainly not under the dusky hues of a settling sun. As the party advanced, the villagers gradually fell back into their routines, their gazes lingering just a moment longer on the retreating silhouettes.
Shortly after the Hokage departed from the group, he returned, a flash of orange and blue amongst the mellow surroundings. Behind him, a young boy, barely nine, bobbed up and down with contained excitement. His bright blue eyes, as vivid as the afternoon sky, scanned the group until they landed on the aloof boy with ice-blue eyes and raven-black hair standing at the back.
Naruto Uzumaki, dressed in his usual orange jumpsuit, bounded towards Ryomaru. "It is you!" he exclaimed, his grin stretching wider than seemed possible. His energetic voice filled the quiet square where the group stood, the words echoing off the nearby buildings.
Ryomaru turned his gaze to meet Naruto's, a soft smile playing on his lips. His voice, when he finally spoke, was a calm contrast to Naruto's exuberant one. "It is me, Naruto Uzumaki," he confirmed, addressing him with his full name.
The tension in the square dissipated, replaced by a light sense of relief that passed between the grown-ups. Naruto, with his unfiltered exuberance, could put even the most reserved of children at ease.
"I'm glad to see you again, Ryomaru," Naruto continued, seemingly unaffected by Ryomaru's reserved response. "There's so much to show you!"
Hearing Naruto's words, Ryomaru's smile widened just slightly. The prospect of exploring the Leaf Village seemed to have lightened his exhaustion, his weariness from the long journey momentarily forgotten.
Meanwhile, the normally stoic Gaara was observing this interaction silently, his vibrant green eyes subtly following Naruto.
"Sadly, we have to leave now, Naruto. There is no time for sightseeing," Kakashi interjected, a small, masked smile playing on his face.
Naruto paused, blinked, then turned to face the speaker. His wide, ocean-blue eyes regarded Kakashi with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Who are you?" he asked, bluntly.
Kakashi let out a soft chuckle, his single, visible eye crinkling at the corners in amusement. "I am Hatake Kakashi," he introduced himself, then added, "I will be your guardian in Kumo."
Naruto's brow furrowed as he digested this information. But just as quickly, his face cleared, a grin replacing the earlier expression of confusion. "Alright, Kakashi-niichan!" he exclaimed, employing a term of familiarity he often reserved for those he found likable.
A ripple of laughter spread through the group at Naruto's quick acceptance. But Hiruzen, ever the responsible leader, soon put a lid on the merriment, reminding Naruto of the gravity of their mission with a stern, yet affectionate, warning.
"Remember, Naruto, you must behave yourself in Kumo. This is an important mission," Hiruzen said, his voice gentle but firm, the Hokage persona slipping into place seamlessly.
Naruto nodded, an exaggerated seriousness falling over his features. But anyone who knew the hyperactive young shinobi knew that it was only a matter of time before his natural exuberance would win over his current solemnity.
With a round of hasty goodbyes, the group set off once again, this time, with the addition of Naruto to their number. The people of Konoha watched in silence as the foreign delegation departed their village, leaving behind a sense of quiet anticipation in the air.
As the group finally reached Kumo after a lengthy journey, a pang of anticipation threaded through Ryomaru's veins. The towering silhouette of the village, bathed in the soft glow of dusk, brought a rush of familiar feelings and an aching longing for one person in particular – his mother, Miori. Her face, always radiating warmth and love, shimmered in his mind like a beacon pulling him home. He yearned for the comfort of her embrace, the soothing sound of her voice. But there were duties to attend to first, responsibilities that he, as the Raikage's son, was expected to fulfill.
Turning to A, his father in blood but not in bond, Ryomaru caught a subtle nod. A wordless signal to take charge of their guests' accommodations. His icy blue eyes, so different from A's stern gaze, sparkled with a certain determination. "I'll take care of it, Raikage-sama," he assured, slipping effortlessly into his role.
Without wasting any time, Ryomaru led the group towards the urban district where the guest houses lay. His confident strides, a testament to his lineage, did not falter despite his exhaustion. The towering buildings, adorned with the distinctive Kumo architecture, stood proud and welcoming against the twilight sky. He picked two houses, one for the Konoha delegation and the other for the Suna representatives, ensuring that their comfort was taken into account.
"Please make yourselves at home," he addressed the group, his tone carrying an authority beyond his tender years. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask any shinobi in the village. We're all here to help."
With his task completed, Ryomaru finally allowed himself to succumb to his longing. Excusing himself from the group, he darted off towards home, his small figure quickly disappearing amongst the crowded streets of Kumo. As he reached the familiar door of his house, a wave of relief washed over him. He was home.
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